Major requirements include:

Course Requirements:

Students must take a minimum of 10 courses, listed below.

• PO 102 - American Government
• PO 104 - Comparative Politics
• PO 106 - International Relations
• PO 203 - Political Science Research Methods

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• One political theory course:

• PO 208 - Elements of Political Theory: Classical or
• PO 209 - Elements of Political Theory: Modern

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• Four electives taken from any of the other courses offered by the Politics Department

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• PO 478 - Senior Seminar

• *Senior Comprehensive Examination: All  students must take a written comprehensive exam in their senior year.

Course Sequence Outline

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Politics majors generally take their comparative politics and political theory requirements. Depending on initial placement, they may also be completing their modern or classical language requirement. The remainder of their schedules can be filled by major (Politics Department) electives, other core requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.

Junior Year

Politics majors generally take two major electives over the course of the year, and their research methods requirement in the spring semester. Students who study abroad will need to take Research Methods at a different time. The rest of students’ schedules can be occupied with core requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.

Senior Year

Politics majors generally take two major electives over the course of the year, and their senior seminar requirement in the fall semester. The rest of their schedules can be occupied with core requirements, general electives, or courses for a minor or double major.

Washington Internship and Study Abroad: Students are strongly encouraged to gain real political experience during their undergraduate years through study abroad, travel and internships.